EU restricts bank operations with Belarus, arms imports

July 18, Pozirk. The European Union has agreed on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus, with all 27 member states voting in favor, including Slovakia, that blocked an earlier draft, dpa reported.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the new sanctions as “the strongest sanctions package against Russia to date” in her post on X, but did not mention Belarus.  

“We’re cutting the Kremlin’s war budget further, going after 105 more shadow fleet ships, their enablers, and limiting Russian banks’ access to funding.”

The final document has not yet been published.

Sanctions will target Belarusian banks, completely banning financial transactions following an earlier disconnection from SWIFT, an international bank messaging network, RFE/RL reported, citing its sources.

Restrictions will also apply to at least four Belarusian defense companies, including the Lehmaš metalworking plant based in Orša, Viciebsk region. The EU has reportedly banned arms imports from Belarus, expanding the list of dual-use goods that can be used for military purposes, including machinery, metals, plastics and chemicals. The ban will also cover the transit of some goods through the country.

The EU started introducing sanctions against Belarus in 2020, two years before Russia’s war on Ukraine, accusing its government of vote rigging and human rights abuses.

The Belarusian defense sector was targeted later for supplying arms to Russia and circumventing Western sanctions.